In our approach to research we:
Current research commissioned on work at height is as follows:
Published research available from HSE is listed below:
Research question: -
Method: -
Potential benefits: The results of the evaluation will be fed into HSE's future campaign and policy work on falls from height.
Research question: The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) was asked to review the advice and guidance available on suspension trauma. This review was used to address the questions of whether the current information and advice available for treating suspension trauma casualties was adequate and in line with current practice and recommendations, and whether there was a need for HSE to produce guidance.
Method: The report details the methodology, which includes an evidence-based review of the medical literature.
Potential benefits: Following the review, HSE confirms that no change should be made to the standard first aid guidance for the post recovery of a semi conscious or unconscious person in a horizontal position, even if the subject of prior harness suspension.
Research question: How effective was the Height Aware campaign in delivering its aims and objectives?
Method: The report details the methodology, which includes both qualitative and quantitative evidence and interviews with representatives from the target audience, stakeholders, partners and those involved in campaign activity from HSE.
Potential benefits: The results of the evaluation will be fed into HSE Falls from Height results and inform future work. It will also be used in planning other HSE campaigns.
Research question : How does mounting or dismounting from the top of a leaning ladder affect its stability? This report evaluates reasonable ladder use and quantifies the demands placed on the ladder system when used to access platforms and surfaces.
This research builds on the findings of RR205 - Evaluating the performance and effectiveness of ladder stability devices.
Method : The report details the methodology, which is based on the way in which instability occurs in the ladder when it is being used for access to/ egress from a platform or surface.
Potential benefits : In combination with RR205, this work aims to provide a reliable means for determining safe equipment for use in the field as well as assisting in the development of new and improved access devices.
Research question: Do we need to revise body size criteria in the standards used to test personal protective equipment (PPE) safety?
Method: Collecting anthropometric data of the working at height population
Potential benefits:
Research question: How can we deliver safety information directly to site operatives?
Method: Attaching key messages to construction components.
Method: One method of supporting safe practices when working at height is the provision of prescriptive guidelines in a readily accessible format for workers at all levels involved with the work. Decision aids are one means of presenting information. The research described in this report aimed to develop and test appropriate decision aids for people involved in temporary access to height.
Potential benefits: the provision of decision aids will enable people to plan and organise work at height more effectively.
Research question: what criteria affect the selection of temporarily installed horizontal lifelines for work at height?
Method: gathers together and reviews technical information in order to provide a greater understanding into how these FAS are designed, how they work, and how they are controlled.
Potential benefits: the results include information on key factors regarding selection, installation, use and maintenance; recommendations for those organisations that fabricate and install their own designs; recommendations for training; and information that could be put into HSE guidance.
Research question: can ladder safety hoops provide any form of fall-arresting capability?
Method: update the current state of knowledge and understanding in regard to what ladder safety hoops actually are, what their intended purpose is, and to establish by preliminary testing whether or not they could provide any form of fall-arresting capability.
Potential benefits: this research has added to HSE's knowledge of the performance criteria of ladder safety hoops, and will inform future work about how the hoops should be used.
Research question: how do ladder stability devices perform in a range of tests? The report details the background, methodology and findings of an extensive investigation into the performance of leaning ladder stability and manual ladder footing.
Method: The report details the methodology, which is based on the way in which instability occurs in the ladder.
Potential benefits: The key recommendations are: there is a need for a technical standard, devices could be certified for use, and extensive user education is required.
Research question: why do individuals take risks when working at height and are some people more likely to have multiple falls from height accidents?
Method: detailed interviews with a mixture of those who had suffered injury as a result from falling from height, those who work at height but have not suffered a fall, and those who supervise the work.
Potential benefits: The research identifies a range of interventions aimed at reducing risk-taking behaviour and the obstacles to implementing these techniques.
Method: This report describes an industry-wide study into the underlying influences on, and control of, falls from height. The falls accidents reported via RIDDOR have been analysed for the last five years.
Potential benefits: Aids understanding of what types of falls are happening, in which sectors, etc. This in turn helps with Programme targeting for interventions.
Research question: Do computer based “expert” systems exist that support the health and safety strategies of duty holders and provide regulatory, hazard identification, decision support and monitoring or diagnostic support for an organisation?
Method: The report details the methodology, which is based on a review of international health and safety literature and a series of consultations.
Potential benefits: If “Expert Systems” can be identified or developed successfully and adopted by a large number of organisations a more robust management of health and safety is possible. This could also impact on the way health and safety management is monitored and regulated.
Overview of findings: No Expert Systems were identified during the research that would deliver the potential benefits.
Social media
Javascript is required to use HSE website social media functionality.
Follow HSE on Twitter:
Follow @H_S_E